Our liturgical year begins, and the readings remind us to watch with hope for the coming of our Savior. Advent is a 4-week period before Christmas where we prepare ourselves for Christ to be born again in us. Jesus will come again.

In this season, watching, waiting, and preparation is the theme. The coming of the Lord and the birth of Jesus are the central actions during this liturgical season. The Gospel of Mark presents John the Baptist as one who calls us to prepare the way of the Lord.
 
The Gospel emphasizes the need for watchfulness. We must prepare ourselves for whatever hour the Lord will come. At the time of the writing of Mark’s Gospel, Christians lived under a lot of persecution. Christians recalled Jesus' words and were able to persevere through their suffering.
 
What must we do to be ready for the coming of the Lord? We must stay alert, pray, be faithful, and watchful. In good times and bad, the way we live shows that we are ready when Jesus comes. This is how Advent must be lived.